A four-goal second half from TFC II propelled them to a 4-2 come from behind victory over FC Cincinnati 2 at BMO Field Saturday evening.
TFC II earned its third win of the season, courtesy of goals from forward Paul Rothrock and midfielders Julian Altobelli and Reshaun Walkes. FCC2’s Morgan Marshall scored an own-goal in second-half stoppage time to put the tie in stone. All four goals were scored over the final 45 minutes to claim all the points.
Facing a 2-0 deficit after a second FCC2 goal in the 47th minute, TFC II turned on the burners with an opener of their own in the 50th minute through Rothrock.
Walkes brought them level in the 67th with a low-driven shot into the bottom right corner of the net with the dagger coming in the 74th through Altobelli. Altobelli made a great run across the box, was fed by Rothrock, and put his lofted ball into the box home with one touch of the ball.
FCC2’s Valenzuela opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a low-driven strike into the bottom right corner of the net, with Ruszel doubling the lead in the 47th minute. However, the tide quickly changed with TFC II drawing level and eventually finding a winner through Altobelli.
Morgan Marshall’s 90+5 own goal was the dagger needed for TFC II to walk away with the win.
The two sides clashed in week 1 of the MLS NEXT Pro season, with FCC2 taking all three points in a 2-1 victory at NKU Soccer Stadium, however, this time around, TFC II walked away with the victory.
TFC II next heads to Belson Stadium to take on NYCFC II on Sunday, May 8.
TFC II gets redemption over FCC2
TFC II scored four unanswered second-half goals at BMO Field Saturday evening, downing FC Cincinnati 2 4-2 in the clubs' second meeting this season.
A week one clash between the two sides saw FCC2 claim all three points at home in a 2-1 victory, but TFC II served up a plate of redemption Saturday in the six-goal thriller.
TFC II earned all three points, courtesy of goals from forward Paul Rothrock and midfielders Julian Altobelli and Reshaun Walkes. FCC2’s Morgan Marshall scored an own-goal in second-half stoppage time to put the tie in stone, but Walkes 74th minute strike proved to be the winner.
The win marked their third win this inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season, with numbers proving crucial along the way.
For the second time this season, TFC II scored four goals in a win but all three wins have featured at least three goals in the process. As a result, their attacking prowess now sees them in a three-way tie for third place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference. However, they sit ahead of the group due to goal-differential, and with 13 goals scored on the season, TFC II sits second in goals scored across the league as of Saturday evening.
Through five matchdays, TFC II now sits 3-2 with both losses this season coming by a one-goal margin. Gianni Cimini’s side is slowly finding its stride defensively but has found its way in the final third so far this season.
